The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has donated nine transformers to communities in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley municipalities in Ghana. The transformers, valued at approximately GH¢1.098 million, aim to address inadequate distribution capacity and frequent power interruptions affecting residents and businesses. Beneficiary communities include Awudua, Abekoase, Samahu, and Benso. A 500kVA transformer has also been provided to support electricity supply at the Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium.
The donation is expected to provide residents with a more dependable power supply and support businesses that rely on electricity to operate. Ing. Benjamin Odame Thompson, ECG Tarkwa District Manager, commended the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for stepping in to support ECG's efforts to address transformer shortages. He noted that the procurement and replacement of some transformers, particularly those serving 33kV systems, can be challenging due to the processes involved.
The donated equipment comprises transformers of varying capacities, including 100kVA, 250kVA, 315kVA, and 500kVA, serving both 33kV and 11kV systems. Ing. Thompson urged residents to help protect the infrastructure from illegal connections and excessive loading, which can overload transformers and damage the equipment. He advised that transformers should ideally not operate above about 70 percent of their capacity.
Elliot Twum, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana, stated that the intervention aims to support essential community infrastructure and respond to growing energy requirements. He emphasized that reliable electricity is crucial for the socio-economic development of communities. The donation forms part of Gold Fields Ghana's broader commitment to supporting critical infrastructure in its host communities.
The nine transformers are expected to improve electricity distribution and reliability, ease pressure on existing infrastructure, and support local economic activities. The 500kVA transformer at the Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium will provide a more reliable power supply for the facility and support its operations and sporting activities. This intervention extends the Foundation's community-development footprint into an area that directly affects residents' daily lives and livelihoods.
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested more than US$113.20 million in communities across Ghana, spanning education, healthcare, water and sanitation, infrastructure, and enterprise development. This latest intervention highlights the growing importance of collaboration between mining companies, host communities, ECG, traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, and other stakeholders in addressing infrastructure challenges in mining communities.
With the transformers being deployed to the beneficiary areas, attention will turn to their effective installation, maintenance, and protection to ensure that the investment delivers the intended improvement in electricity supply. The Members of Parliament for Prestea Hunni-Valley and Tarkwa Nsuaem, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe and Issah Salifu Taylor, were present at the ceremony. The intervention offers the prospect of more stable power and fewer disruptions to everyday economic activity for households, traders, and businesses.
Key points
- The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has donated 9 transformers valued at GH¢1.098 million to improve electricity supply in communities.
- The donation aims to address inadequate distribution capacity and frequent power interruptions affecting residents and businesses.
- The intervention is part of Gold Fields Ghana's broader commitment to supporting critical infrastructure in its host communities.
